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Distorted thinking

Hi guys. So the snow is melting but apparently a cold spell is going to hit the UK this week. I’m sorry, isn’t it cold enough as it is?? Hope everyone is coping well and the snow didn’t cause too many issues.

I mentioned in my last post that I was really fed up because not only did our trip to Wales get cancelled due to the weather but I also missed my 5.5 mile run. I know missing this run isn’t a big deal in the great scheme of things. I know it isn’t going to affect the half marathon. I honestly know this. But it still worried me. How ridiculous is that?

Anyway, so I was determined to run on Saturday as I didn’t want to miss another run, and especially the longer run of the week: 7 miles (not hugely long to all you running pros out there but long for me).

So I put my trail shoes on as they have the best grips and set off to our little local country park: Manor Farm.

I decided to go with a trail run because honestly the pavements were a nightmare. Seriously icy and slippery. So I figured that more fresh snow was needed to help keep me balanced. The scenery was beautiful but it was a hard run. Like running on sand. My pace was forced to slow down to around 9 minutes/mile. But I enjoyed it immensely.

The beautiful scenery helped clear my mind and let me just run without focus.

And without so much as one falling over incident (which is good for me considering how clumsy I am) I got my 7 mile run in.

Though I loved it and felt so good afterwards I still felt angry I’d missed the other run – like I hadn’t done enough for my training. I realise this is absolutely ridiculous thinking. After feeling down about it while I was getting showered and sorted for the day I realised how stupid this thinking was. I should be proud of the run I just did! And in snow no less! I don’t know why I had that ridiculous mind-set about the ‘lost run’. I think I’ve just become so focused on running and hitting certain targets I’ve missed the bigger picture. Why do I run? Not just to hit PBs and feel a sense of achievement. No. I run because first and foremost I love it. And I loved that 7 mile run. I need to focus on the achievements not the failures.

And I need to know that every run doesn’t have to be amazing. I need to slow down on my longer runs. Take it easy or I will injure myself. 9 minutes/mile is the perfect pace for me to run longer miles.

I’m sorry if this post has made you want to shake me – I want to shake myself!! If anyone else gets like this, please tell me! I can’t be the only one out there who sets themselves such high standards and gets angry when they don’t reach them – even when it’s due to logical and rational reasons!

What high standards do you set yourself?

Do you have a routine you always follow and hate it when it gets messed up?

I love a routine and I also get annoyed when things have to change.
I am still a bit annoyed about not getting my 4 runs in this week, and also I was going to do 10 miles on Sunday, but only did 4. Partly because I had a cold, but also because of the snow- pavements were hard work.
But I know that my fitness will not disappear in a few days, and I can do the 10 miles next weekend instead. I think as I have been running for longer I have realised I can relax a little, as I am generally consistent with training, so missing runs here and there do not really matter in the long run (excuse that).

I know I just need to relax a little bit. I can become to focused and transfixed on a goal and it gets in the way of the enjoyment factor of just running. My annoyance was partly to not getting 100% on Jantastic as well haha.
The snowy pavements are a killer! I have to run on the road at the moment for fear of falling over!

I think you’re right, you run because you love it, which has to be a better reason and motivation than anything else…? Maybe that’s also why it was so annoying to miss out, because you couldn’t do what you really wanted to? I know how frustrating it is; I haven’t ridden since Sunday the 13th because of the frozen ground and it’s horrible!
So much respect for running that far on snow too, just walking on it is hard work!

I feel like this all the time! Especially these last two weeks after I sprained my ankle, I have been down-right depressed about missing my workouts. It’s so silly because I knew as soon as I was healed I’d be able to run again, but for some reason missing my runs made me so upset. There mayyy have even been a few tears one day when I thought my ankle was all healed and I thought I’d be able to run again, only to see that it was still swollen and bruised. I don’t know why it made me so upset, but it sure did. I totally understand how you felt.

I’m so glad you know what I mean! And I completely understand you getting upset about not being able to work out. It’s part of your lifestyle and when you’re so used to doing something that makes you feel good about yourself and healthy it’s horrible when it’s taken away from you! I hope your ankle gets better soon, I really sympathise 🙁

Great post! I tend to set really high standards for myself when I plan my exercise regimen out for the week – I feel really guilty if I miss a day or if something gets mixed up/around. I need to focus on what I was able to accomplish instead of what I didn’t!

That’s the hard part I guess with exercise, it’s never over and so it’s tempting to believe we’ve not done enough. But life happens and there’s nothing you can do. You just have to roll with it and get back on it when you can 🙂